Most of us want to lose weight. It’s not a secret – the obesity epidemic in the United States is one of the biggest problems facing our country today. But what if I told you there was a way to lose weight naturally, and without having to count calories or take supplements? How about without going on a diet? You may be wondering how to lose weight on a vegan diet, and it’s quite simple – avoid the weight gain trigger foods. That’s right – you’ll have to avoid sweets, fatty foods, potato chips, and any other food that could potentially cause you to gain weight. Now you may be thinking, “This seems more difficult than it actually is.” We have six simple tips to help you lose weight and achieve your ideal body.
Eat According to Hunger
Just like with any other part of your body, your stomach stores calories as fat. When you eat foods high in carbohydrates, your blood sugar levels rise, and so does your appetite. In order to keep your appetite in check, it’s important to eat according to hunger. You don’t want to eat too much food, or eat more than you need – this will cause you to store more calories as fat. Instead, wait until you’re really hungry before eating, and try to eat until you feel satisfied. Sometimes this means avoiding foods that are high in carbohydrates or protein, so that your stomach doesn’t fill up and crave more.
Skip The Coffee
Coffee is a leading cause of weight gain. If you’re drinking any type of coffee, even if it’s only decaffeinated coffee, you may be storing more calories as fat. This is mostly because caffeine increases the rate at which your body converts carbs into energy. So instead of giving you the extra calories you need, it may keep you from losing weight. If you really need your morning cup of Joe, then try to limit your intake to just a small cup – or, at the very least, drink it on an empty stomach.
Eat More Often
If you’re looking to shed some pounds, then the best thing you can do for yourself is eat more often. The human body needs food every few hours, otherwise it malfunctions. When you eat frequently, your body will burn calories that are even stored as fat. For best results, aim for at least five meals per day, with two serving sizes. Having small snacks between meals is also a great way to keep your energy levels up while losing weight. You may want to try a plant-based diet, as well as exercise, to see the best results from this tip.
Reduce Stress
Stress is another major cause of weight gain. If you’re constantly under a lot of stress, even if it’s only stress from within, your body will begin storing calories. The way to reduce stress is by taking a break, going for a walk, and getting some fresh air. Yoga and meditation are also great tools for reducing and dealing with stress. Simply by taking a break, and unplugging from the world for a little while, you may be able to reduce your stress levels and recharge your batteries.
Avoid “Secret” Snack Ingredients
When you’re shopping for snacks, there are certain ingredients that most people try to hide from their customers. For example, you might see some snacks labelled with the health claim: “Half of the fats in this product come from natural sources.” While this may be true, it also means that the other half of the fats come from unsaturated fats, which contribute to weight gain. Another common practice that you may want to avoid is adding sugar to foods. Not only is sugar highly processed and in no way natural, but it also makes you gain weight. Finally, if an ingredient is listed as partially hydrogenated, that means that oil has been partially absorbed by the food. This is not a healthy option, as the oil is not fully removed during cooking, and it contributes to weight gain. So, avoid ingredients that contain these three components – salt, sugar, and partially hydrogenated oil.
Watch What You Eat
To lose weight, you need to be aware of what you’re eating. What kinds of foods are you having, and how much are you consuming? A healthy diet consists of foods that are low in carbohydrates and high in fiber, with a few servings of protein per day. This may mean eating less meat and more fruits, vegetables, and nuts. You may also want to try to avoid eating foods with added sugar, and those that are fried or processed. If you’re not used to paying attention to the foods you eat, it may be difficult to lose weight. So, pay close attention to what you’re consuming, and make a note of any foods that you may want to avoid.
Consult A Physician
If you’re looking to achieve the best weight loss results, it may be a good idea to consult a physician. There are several different types of medication, as well as other nutritional supplements, that may be able to help you lose weight. Some examples of medications that may be able to help are: Lipitor, which is a type of cholesterol-lowering medication; or Januvia, which is a medication for diabetes. If you’re serious about losing weight, then it’s a good idea to consult with your physician, so that he or she can advise you on the best weight loss plan for you.
Remember The Pounds And Inches Trick
The way you measure weight may be different than how your physician measures it. If you want to lose weight, then it’s important to remember that most doctors will use the pounds measure, while you may want to use the inches measure. For instance, if you want to know how many pounds you’ll need to lose, then you should use this measure:
- Your weight (in pounds)
- Your height (in inches)
- Your goal weight (in pounds)
Rather than using these numbers to calculate how much you need to lose, you may want to use this formula:
- Your current weight (in pounds)
- Your height (in inches)
- Your goal weight (in inches)
- Multiply your height by two
- Add that to your current weight
- Then, subtract that number from your goal weight
Using this formula, you’ll arrive at your goal weight within a few weeks. After that, it may take a little bit of time to get your body used to living at this new weight. So, it’s important not to rush your weight loss plan, but rather to take your time and do it right.
At the end of the day, losing weight isn’t as difficult as you think it is. Instead of focusing on the number on the scale, it’s important to focus on the foods that you’re eating. By eliminating the weight gain trigger foods, and following the six tips listed above, you may be able to shed those extra pounds and attain your ideal body. Don’t give up!